I wish I could claim to be perpetually happy like those crazy people you see in shampoo commercials — you know, the girls who smile and skip through sun dappled fields as the winds of change blow through their perfect hair. They twirl and throw their arms up and glow like fantastical beams of light and optimism. Wow.

Yeah, that’s so not me. Note: Although for the most part I’m a really happy person, I do have my off days, and on those days I feel pretty crappy.

But, you know, you gotta keep on’ trucking. And plenty can happen in 24 hours. Despite feeling blue, your girl still manages to find a few random acts of beauty.

When I feel like crap I make extensive lists. This morning, after drinking my morning coffee and watching a Tivo’d episode of last night’s The Hills finale, I started a new one titled “At least.”

December 11, 2007, 7:12 a.m.

At least …
- At least I’m not Spencer from The Hills. Thank you, jeebus!
- At least my teeth aren’t so blindingly white that I look like I stuck a bunch of Chicklets into my gums, like Audrina.
- At least I have all my teeth!
- At least I’m a nice girl who doesn’t strike the fear of God into people, like scary Lisa Love.
- At least I have opposable thumbs, so that I can type and hold my makeup brushes and use door knobs.
- At least I don’t have to sell my soul in order to pay my bills.
- At least I can write in complete sentences.
- At least I don’t feel compelled to do things in print LIKE WRITE IN CAPS ALL THE TIME or AlTeRnAtE lOwEr CaSe wItH uPpEr CaSe.

After one full page of the “At Least” list I feel a tiny bit better. I hear the neighbor’s tabby meowing at the door. I now have some company. Yes.

December 11. 2007, 10:25 a.m.

Endorphins, I need you. It’s cold but sunny outside, so I bundle up and go for a run.

The leaves crunch beneath my feet, and I’m running so fast that I can barely control my breath. During my run I see a mom with a baby stroller. Then, I pass a tiny bird on a bare tree branch, an unruly golden retriever and the green-blue waters of the San Francisco Bay. On my way back home, I sprint down a hill and catch a glimpse of my shadow running hard and fast. I’m reminded of the girl that I am on my best days; she’s tenacious and strong and doesn’t give up.

Back at home, I turn on the “random” song selection on iTunes and hear a few songs that lift my spirit.

December 11, 2007, 11:30 a.m.

I’ve got five minutes to put on makeup before leaving for work. Although I’m feeling much better, I feel I should be prepared for an unexpected burst of tears in the afternoon. I curl my lashes and put on two coats of Prescriptives Here to Stay mascara, which never lets me down. Thank you, powers-that-be, for giving us waterproof mascara on days when emotional breakdowns loom. Yes.

December 11, 2007, 4:05 p.m.

After work I go to Rite Aid, buy an ice cream cone and cruise the makeup section. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid and it always makes me feel better. There’s a fat sale on Maybelline products. Yes.

Hey! I hope everything will be okay. You are so beautiful and I love your website! I read it almost everyday. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!!:D Life is full of hard situations that we can’t control but we can control how we react!:D

I have those days all the time, especially during finals week! But just wanted you to know that everything will be okay, and I’m so happy u hauled, a little/big haul always makes everything betterâ™¥â™¥â™¥!! If it makes you feel any better I checked your blog three times today, before I saw your Post of the Day!!! Honestly your blog is the highlight of my study-wrenching-exhausting week!!! Loads of good wishes and xoâ™¥xoâ™¥xoâ™¥xoâ™¥x’s coming your way!! Hope tomorrow is tons better than today!!!

Is it seasonal blues? I think this time of year brings it out in most of us.

I’ve have had a terrible year – big, awful things and just as I thought I was on the clear to 2008 what happens this week? Someone steals my car, only with my La Prarie & Shu Uemura Make Up inside! And other things too! Can I claim for Â£200 pounds worth of Make Up? Insurance company says, Â£200? Of Make Up? Don’t be ridiculous!

I can definitely relate to the days you feel like a walking emotional wreck. Glad to hear you know how to cope when your mood gets low. I especially enjoyed this post, as it shows insight and depth. You are an inspiration! Hope you cheer up, you are too awesome to be down!

Ever since I’ve discovered your blog, I’ve been an avid (albeit, silent) reader of yours. I must say that you are one of the best makeup blogs out here, and it seems to be quite evident that you light us up in so many ways. I’m breaking my silence to let you know how speacial you are to me (to us), and how you bring the cheers to us with your well-written and informative beauty tips. You see, those are enough to perk us up! I’m also breaking my silence to thank you for using Prescriptives — I am a big fan and adore their mascara line (incidentally, I’ve applied for a job with them yesterday…crossing fingers…)…

Stay strong…strong women can weather out these down times! You’ve already shown us that you are a strong WOman! (oops, sorry for the uppercase…just for emphasis, ya’know!)

So sorry you’re feelin’ blue! I’d love to cheer you up with frivolous celeb gossip, enthusing over makeup and the hot coffee drink of your choice (with a straw, of course)! In the absence of that, I just hope you feel back to yourself soon! I have down days with waterproof mascara too and I usually just give myself a day or so to feel before I start to go all “what’s wrong with me?” crazy, and the next day I usually feel a whole lot better!

You rock in so many ways and you are kind enough to share it with all of us via this blog! Thanks, Karen, here’s the love right back atcha!

Dear Karen,
I’m sorry you had a bad day. I just wanted to let you know that I am a big fan of you and your blog, and have become an avid reader of it ever since I discovered it. To make myself feel better, I usually do what you do:
1. I either run to get my endorphins up (sometimes going to the gym at a certain time because that’s when the hot boys come out- i know you’re married though;))
2. Go to the drugstores to buy makeup (There’s a couple drug stores going out of sale in my area, so 30% off alllll makeup.)
3. Watch some cheesy reality tv (I agree with you on the Audrina comment)
4. I consume something through drinking or eating high in calories, low in substance. I don’t know if you’re a fan of peppermint, but what I usually do is make hot chocolate, put a candy cane in it so that it dissolves and then I also put some coffee creamer in it flavored like peppermint mocha, or caramel chocolate fudge. It’s gooooooood stuff! Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it’s been a big hit at parties.
I really do hope you feel better today, and I do appreciate blogs like this because then it’s not just a makeup/beauty blog. It’s an oprah/dr. phil blog too!
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning!
Happy Holidays!
Syl

Thanks for your vulnerability. No one has perfect days every day and it’s good to vent some of blues away. I love that you count your blessings – the best way to realize how much we have, even if it’s just some of the little things.

Even feeling blue you always manage to make others laugh. I laughed through your “At least” list. Spencer is such a schmuck. That pseudo beard doesn’t really suit him. I also laughed at your chicklets comment about Audrina’s teeth. However, if I had to pick between having Audrina’s teeth and Nancy Kerigan’s teeth, I’d have to choose Audrina. No one wants horse teeth.

Hope you come out of your blues. I enjoy your blog immensely. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for being super honest…..life ain’t happy all the damn time. Makes sense that we aren’t either. Thanks for not pretending. Hope that your week gets better!! Go listen “Until the End of Time” by TuPac. I bet it’ll bring you joy!

No one likes those “shampoo commercial” girls anyway! I think having hair that beautiful requires a pact with Satan.

There is truly nothing else in the world like ice cream and retail therapy. My eyeballs fall out of my head when I check what I did at my MAC counter the last month (too much prettiness going on Nov-Dec at MAC) but I love it all and new makeup makes my day!

Love your blog, you and the kitty are always making me laugh. Hang in there girl!

I love that you’re real about this and that you’re not scared to let us know. You’re such a kind person with an amazing personality (from what my reading has told me, hah), but you are also human. I hope you feel better. Stay strong love

AROUND THE WEB

Unsung Heroes!

Featured MBB reader of the week: kwmechelle!

Guurl! Thanks for all the '90s hip-hop refs and our fun conversations about bronzer. One day that CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer will be mine... IT WILL BE MINE!!!
I've really enjoyed getting to know you in the comments and hearing about your adventures with your niece and nephew. Flute BFFs forever. GO BAND GEEKS! :)